Emma & Capucine, Volume 1

Emma et Capucine #1

by Jérôme Hamon, Lena Sayaphoum

This stylish, full-color bande dessinée is a beautiful coming-of-age story focusing on themes of family, friendship, self-confidence and personal growth through the lens of music and dance.

Emma and Violette are sisters who share the same dream of attending Paris’s most prestigious dance school. Violette passes the first audition with flying colors, but Emma doesn’t, and their world comes crashing down. But there may be more than one way to dance through life…

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Bande Dessinée, Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Middle Grade

104 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2017

Reviews

[Shai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and Violette is a short story of two sisters who dreams to be a prima ballerina someday. While Violette has no problems making it to the audition to one of the prestigious schools for ballet, Emma on the other has was having difficulty due to her individualistic way of performing.

This graphic novel is highly recommended especially to middle graders — it shows that we should do what makes us happy and not just conform to what others tell us to do. And that sometimes, what we believe our dream is not really what we are destined to be.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emma and Violette are two sisters who have been training for ballet all their lives. When one gets some bad news, she must reevaluate her life with the help of a supportive dad and against the wishes of her stage driven mother. It's a good story for middle schoolers. While the art is beautiful, I had a very difficult time distinguishing between any of the female characters in the book. Everyone had the same slender build and body type and the reader was left with hair color to distinguish between the characters.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting graphic novel. I wasn't necessarily sure what to expect in terms of plot except that it probably focused on dancing to some degree. Emma and Violette is about two sisters who are both ballerinas; however, one is more "naturally" gifted at dancing than the other. Their mother pushes both of them to get into a prestigious ballet school so they can become principle dancers. There were a few things about this that I enjoyed. Hamon included some great conversations related to parenting and how difficult it can be to draw the line at your aspirations and what your child wants to do. Emma and Violette's mother was so caught up in her deferred dreams that she was unknowingly projecting onto her daughters. It causes a lot of discourse in their household. Hamon also touched a little bit on what it's like to be teen that is attempting to find their voice. It can be hard to stand up for what you want as a teenager especially when you want nothing more than to make your parents happy.

While I enjoyed the art (it does feel a little stiff in some sections), I had some trouble following the story in some areas. There were characters that weren't fleshed out so readers don't know who they are or what role they play in the story as a whole. There also appeared to be some awkward moments in the dialogue. I'm not sure if this had anything to do with the translation as this was originally written in French. There were great moments with the supportive father in the book, but part of me feels like I was missing out on something because the entire story wasn't necessarily there. Overall, it was a decent read. I'm definitely willing to try out the rest of the series to see what happens to both girls.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A low-key family drama about about two sisters and the mother driving them to get into a top Parisian ballet school. The older sister, Emma Chereau, is no longer certain that the rigid style and structure of ballet suits her personality and tries to sort out the tangle of having a dream, riding momentum, and pleasing others. If she were to change her goals, how would that effect her younger sister and mother?

It's familiar ground, but nicely written and drawn.

[kaitlphere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art and a heartfelt story. I haven't seen dance portrayed often in comics, and it was done wonderfully in this book.

The two sisters, mom, and the old friend look similar enough that I had a hard time distinguishing them at first. I was also unclear who the young man was to the girls for a few pages.

I'm glad there are more volumes of this, although I think the first volume could stand on its own as well.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake was an idiot, but I liked Emma and her sister. The mom was also a bit much and the “friends”, let’s just say many of the girls were catty.

The art was pretty, but on a tiny screen, it’s hard to tell the characters apart at times. Also, the ages weren’t easy to understand, they didn’t look their ages at all.

3, solid and I would read the next volume, stars.

My thanks to Tokyopop for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'A Dream for Three (Emma and Violette, #1)' by Jerome Hamon with art by Lena Sayaphoum is a graphic novel about ballet, and I think it might be the first time I've run across the subject.

Emma and Violette are sisters who are both trying to attend a prestigious dance school in Paris. They are driven by their mother who had her own dreams that didn't come true. When Emma gets some bad news, she has to make some choices about her future. With the help of a supportive father, and the love of her mother, she finds a way to forge ahead.

It's a good story for anyone with a dream that they've pursued for a long time. It's also a good read for parent's who want to live their dreams through their kids. I really liked this story and these characters. It's hard to find these kind of parents in a lot of literature, but this is a family that all care about each other. The art is really good. It felt a bit like animation, and a bit like anime. I really liked the style.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Hadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe more of a 3.5🌟?

I really liked the moral of the story. It packed a punch in just under 50 pages, which is incredible! The art style was pretty cute too, but the only issue I had with it was the fact that all the male characters looked alike and all the females looked alike. This made it quite difficult to follow the emotions of certain characters. Also, despite being 11 and 13 years old, the girls seemed older and more mature for some reason which really confused me.

[Kinga (oazaksiazek) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten komiks ma wspaniałą subtelną kreskę!

W ogóle bardzo polubiłam bohaterów i ich życie. Problemy tutaj poruszone są znane młodym bohaterom - walka o własne marzenia, szukanie swojej drogi, pierwsze miłości czy wygórowane wymagania rodziców.

Jest w tych komiksach coś, co sprawia, że je doceniam (czytałam cztery części). Odnajduję w nich siebie i moje nastoletnie życie. Miło spojrzeć na to wszystko trochę z boku, po latach.

Polecam!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story inside this graphic novel was immediately compelling to me. The two sisters are written so wonderfully and illustrated well. It's such a short installment but it left me desperately wanting more so this will be a series I'll be continuing.
I really liked the art style as well as the story and I can't wait to read more of this.

[Brianna - Four Paws and a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short and sweet, but as someone who had parents like this growing up, always striving for us to better ourselves in a sport this hit close to home. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so thrilled to see more European comics being translated and released in North America! It means I have a whole new world of stories and artists to explore! So exciting :) A Dream for Three is a book about ballet. Specifically, two sisters trying to attain their dream of being professional ballerinas and the struggles that journey entails. They are young, but Emma is struggling given how free-spirited she is. Too individualistic for ballet, as it turns out, which has been her dream since she was little. Emma is torn between feeling heartbroken, but also feeling free. Her dad supports her, but her mother and little sister are angry that she's choosing a different path.

I love stories that really dig into the sacrifices and pain of elite sport and art. We often encourage people to try their hardest and push themselves to attain these dreams, but what does that cost people? I remember being a music kid and practice and competitions ate into my life. Sure, it was fun. But is it worth it to push young people so hard to be excellent at something for such a brief period of their lives? This story does a good job at teasing apart these complexities for a young audience, showing the darker side of such dedication, and the emotional toil that these goals can have on kids and their families.

I do wish the comic was longer as some additional decompression of the narrative would have been nice. There's a bit of a time skip at the end that I wish we had gotten to see more of. However, with its beautiful art and very contemporary flare, I think A Dream for Three is an excellent book for younger readers that tells both a fun story, but also conveys some important lessons.

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chryste, jakie to jest przepiękne! Niesamowita kreska, ulubione sceny najchętniej powiesiłabym sobie na ścianie! Emma i Violette to dwie siostry, które całe życie ćwiczą balet, przekonane, że to jest dokładnie to, czego chcą od życia. Kiedy starsza z nich Emma, nie przechodzi przesłuchania, zaczyna się zastanawiać, czy balet jest jej celem w życiu i czy to na pewno jest jej marzenie, a nie jej mamy.

To smutne, kiedy rodzice przenoszą na nas swoje marzenia i nie potrafią zrozumieć, że dzieci chcą czegoś innego, chcą się rozwijać, próbować nowych rzeczy. Naprawdę fajnie rozpisane postacie, rozterki i dochodzenie do tego, czego chce każdy z nich. Mimo tak niewielu stron jest tu naprawdę dużo treści.

P R Z E P I Ę K N Y.

[Nia Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I have to mention about this graphic novel is the illustrations - they're beautiful, modern and graceful. They're perfectly suited to the story and are enough to keep me hooked to the series.

The story is a heartwarming one, as two talented young girls have to decide so early in their lives whether or not they want to dedicate themselves to ballet forever. They have supportive and loving parents who want what's right for them, even if 'what's right' is subjective.

Seeing the family dynamic during this turbulent time for them is lovely, it reminds us that everyone has dreams and they're not always achievable.

**Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review**

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartfelt story, lacking in some ways, but over all enjoyable.

This had a good message. Be who you want to be and not who your parents or other people want you to be, and it is okay to not know quite who you want to be. I thought the story was slow moving at times. I did not feel that engaged. I felt like it would have been told better with more details and if it were stretched out into a longer story.

I liked how it ended, especially with everyone finding their path.

The artwork was pretty.

*Provided by Netgally*

[BookCupid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it possible to outgrow a dream?

Emma and Violette have been dancing ballet since forever. However, after auditioning for the most prestigious ballet school, only one of them gets in. It appears that Emma just doesn't have what it takes (the proper balance and style). Should she accept that she's simply not good enough, or fight against all odds to prove that she is?

All in all, a good story. Even though the characters seem too physically and mentally older for their 11 and 13 years of age.

[Claire (Book Blog Bird) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a sweet story about two sister who both want to become principal dancers in ballet companies and who audition to join the Paris Opera ballet school. It touches on sibling rivalries and the pressure some parents put on their children to live out their own filed dreams. It was also beautifully illustrated.

[Maï · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai beaucoup aimée cette bande dessinée, autant les illustrations que l'histoire. Forcément quant ça parle de danse ça me plaît.
Je ne suis peut-être pas vraiment encore adapté au format BD car j'ai trouvé ça vraiment court, mais ça me donne d'autant plus envie de continuer.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐⭐⭐✨

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two sisters are training to become professional ballerinas, but when only one passes a prestigious audition will either continue to dance?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the cute illustration style but found the story pretty cliched and it didn't tie up very well at the end. I found I got lost in what was going on at the start too as the storyline wasn't very clear.

[literarybutterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Dream for Three is a story about two sisters who dance ballet and their mother who is very much a "dance mom." While this graphic novel certainly brings up some heavy topics related to parenting a young dancer, I felt like the conflict was dealt with too easily. Part of me wonders if some of the story was lost in translation from its original French. As a former dancer myself, the world of ballet is very complex and nuanced and I felt like this depiction, even for a middle grade audience, was too simplistic. Additionally, I don't think the artist did the best job at conveying the different characters. There were times in the book I couldn't tell the difference between the mother, the daughters, and other female characters because they were all drawn so similarly. I didn't connect with the story enough to continue with the series.
2.5/5

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dream for Three, Emma and Violette is a sweet and inspiring story about family, dance, and pursuing your dreams. Emma and Violette are two sisters who dream of attending a top ballet school. They are pushed to practice dancing rigorously by their mother who gave up on her own dream of being a violinist. When only Violette is admitted to the school, they all must wrestle with what they really want from life and what dreams are worth sacrificing for. The art is beautiful and I love that we see Emma's relationship with her father in a positive way. Short and sweet! Thanks to Net Galley for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ghazaal B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had this stupid problem while reading both episodes. Charachters were really similary drawn and I had the hardest time not confusing them with each other. Ok I know that's stupid but true story.
I didn't think of the storyline as a rich one. I just loved the part where Emma's dad took her to the Concert hall with all the costumes.

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

BD Jeunesse, "Emma et Capucine", vous l'aurez compris, traite de danse et pas la moindre, car il s'agit de l'une des plus accomplies et les plus exigeantes: le ballet classique.

Emma et Capucine sont des soeurs ayant toute deux comme aspiration première de devenir danseuse étoile dans le monde du ballet classique et pour cette raison, elles passent le concours pour être admises à l'école par excellence, l'Opéra de Paris. Néanmoins, si la jeune Capucine semble avoir la rigueur et la technique, son aînée Emma danse trop "librement". Lorsque Capucine réussi le concours, Emma, recalée, semble alors remettre en question ses rêves. Si elle aime toujours danser, ce n'est peut-être plus en ballet classique.

À certains égards, Emma me fait penser à Polina, protagoniste de la BD et film du même nom, jeune ballerine qui, bourrée de talent, est cependant très personnelle dans sa danse et libre dans sa technique. Dans le ballet classique, on encourage pas ses qualités, d'où l'arrivé du ballet moderne. C'est donc un sujet commun. Par contre, dans "Emma et Capucine", il s'agit d'une sororité où l'une et l'autre des soeurs n'ont pas les mêmes forces en danse et on se demande si cela ne finira pas en rivalité ( j'espère que non, vu la belle relation qu'elle ont). De plus, contrairement à Polina, les deux apprenties sur pointes ont leur famille près d'elles, en support. J'ai beaucoup apprécié le papa des filles, très censé et sage dans ses conseils, contrairement à la mère, plus entreprenante et sévère. Elle est manifestement trop impliquée, transférant une part de ses désirs sur ses filles. Mais bon, ce demeure une bonne mère tout-de-même, mais à terme, son attitude pourrait nuire.


J'ai cependant un reproche sur le scénario, celui de la dévalorisation du ballet au profit, pour une centième fois, du Hip Hop. C'est tellement rependu dans la culture cette idée du corps de ballet snob, rigide et élitique, contre le Hip Hop libertin, amusant et à la portée des gens de la rue, que ça commence à devenir vicieux comme comparaison. Il existe aussi de la rivalité malsaine en Hip Hop, tout comme il existe de la liberté créatrice dans le ballet. J'attends de voir l'inverse un jour: un personnage qui passe du Hip Hop au Ballet classique.


Niveau dessin, je retrouve le style graphique vu dans "Gung ho" où il n'y a pas de lignes noires en contours et des superpositions de couleurs minimalistes pou créer l'ombre et la lumière. J'avais beaucoup aimé pour "Gung Ho", j'aime donc autant pour "Emma et Capucine". Là où c'est différent, c'est dans la forme des personnages, très longilignes, avec des yeux énormes et un peu "mangakesque". Mais c'est toujours un défis de dessiner des danseurs, spécialement avec le ballet classique, où les lignes du corps sont particulières et les poses inhabituelles. C'est donc assez réussi, mais j'aurais aimé voir plus les pieds: les pointes et les pieds arqués sont un élément clé du ballet après tout. J'ai beaucoup aimé le mouvement dans les cheveux, surtout ceux d'Emma.
Les personnages sont attachants, variés, même assez mignons parfois, notamment Jake, que je trouve assez loin des bady boys à deux sous que je croise trop souvent en jeunesse ces derniers temps. Maladroit, danseur de hip hop, souriant, attentionné, vraiment c'est un beau personnage.


À partir d'ici il y aura des divulgâches.


J'espère cependant que Jake a une bonne raison d'avoir agit comme un salaud, vers la fin de la BD, parce que c'était assez ordinaire comme agissement.


Pour une premier BD, on est bien fixé: personnages adéquatement révélés, scénario qui tient la route, jolis dessins, une problématique simple , mais bien rendue, plusieurs enjeux autours de la danse et de la famille, avec quelques petits clin d’œil à la vie adolescente et un sujet actuel. Une belle œuvre qui mérite d'être approfondie.

Catégorisation: BD fiction française, littérature jeunesse adolescent, premier cycle secondaire, 12 ans +
Note: 7/10

[S.Q. Eries · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Summary
Looking for a tween dance graphic novel? Give Emma and Capucine a try. It’s got parental pressure and drama with jealous classmates, but nothing inappropriate for an Age 10+ audience. Right now, ballerina-turned-hip-hop-dancer Emma is dominating the storyline, and it remains to be seen if Capucine can be more than a talented, good girl victim at her prestigious ballet school.

The Review
Emma and her younger sister Capucine share a dream of becoming professional ballet dancers together, a dream that has the enthusiastic support of their mother. But when Emma fails her third audition to the Paris Opera Ballet School while Capucine passes on her first try, Emma wonders if ballet is just a pipe dream for her.

This is a dance graphic novel series. This particular story focuses less on what goes on in the studio and stage and more on dealing with parental pressure, processing disappointment and expectations, and–because it is a ballet story– the bullying that goes on behind the scenes. However, the content does stay within the series’ Age 10+ rating.

The main characters are Emma (who I am guessing is at the start of high school?) and her 11-year-old sister Capucine. Both are dedicated dancers, but while Capucine’s self-controlled style is a perfect fit for the Paris Opera Ballet, Emma’s freer movements get her rejected time and again. Unwilling to compromise on the way she expresses herself, Emma quits classical ballet to pursue other dance forms, a decision that devastates her mother and sister.

As indicated by Chapter 1’s title, “A Dream for Three,” the mother is as (and probably more) driven as her daughters to see their ballet dreams come true. Yes, she absolutely is living vicariously through her children, but not in the way you expect. At any rate, the first half of the volume is predominantly about Emma questioning her long-held goals and her mother’s opposition to and eventual acceptance of Emma’s decision to quit.

Meanwhile, Capucine is reluctant to enroll at the Paris Opera Ballet School without her sister. The shy girl is attached to her family, and she’d rather train at a less prestigious school if it means staying with Emma. Unfortunately, because Capucine is so withdrawn and the dispute between the mother and Emma is so charged, Capucine doesn’t make much of an impression in Chapter 1.

She does get more screen time in Chapter 2 when she enters ballet school as a boarding student while big sister Emma figures out her post-ballet life. Although the mother takes a less prominent role in the book’s second half, Emma still overshadows Capucine. Emma takes an active role in experimenting with hip-hop and stumbling through possible romantic feelings with her long time friend Jake. Capucine, on the other hand, gets bullied by classmates without much explanation and wants to leave school. It doesn’t help that a ton of ballet classmates get introduced all at once, so readers have to keep track of them even as we’re trying to learn what kind of person Capucine is.

That’s one of the drawbacks of this graphic novel’s illustration style. Drawings are digitally rendered and printed in full color on matte stock. Overall, pictures are pleasing to look at, and the artist includes nice effects like light/shadow and blurring/focus. Unfortunately, the female characters look extremely familiar with only minor differences in hair color/texture to distinguish them. That’s fine for Chapter 1 where you can separate Emma, Capucine, and their mom as blonde, brunette, and auburn. But in the studio and stage scenes where multiple dancers have their hair bound and shadows obscuring hair color, it’s impossible to tell who’s who.

Extras include a creator’s afterword.

For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!

[W.Poszukiwaniu.Pseudonimu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Przychodzi czasem czas, gdy trzeba zwolnić i zastanowić się nad własnymi wyborami, do czego dążysz? Co pragniesz osiągnąć w życiu? Być może droga którą obrałaś wiele lat temu nie jest już tym co jest dla ciebie najlepsze, co sprawia ci radość, daje chęci do wstania rano z łóżka. Emma spędziła życie ucząc się tańca klasycznego, dążyła do zostania pierwsza baletnicą, przygotowania, lekcje tańca i konkursy wypełniały jej dni, lecz sztywne ramy baletu, to nie jej styl. Wdzięk i pasje jakie skrywa w sobie dziewczyna stanął się początkiem jej pierwszych dojrzalszych decyzji. Przeciwieństwem jej osoby jest młodsza siostra, niezwykły talent w tym zakresie, dostosowanie się do formy sprawia, że ma przed sobą wiele możliwości, lecz młody wiek, strach i poczucie zdrady względem siostry, mogą stać się przeszkodą nie do przeskoczenia na tym etapie. Na szczęście obie dziewczynki mają wsparcie ze strony rodziców, powiedzmy. Ojciec znacznie lepiej rozumie zawiłe uczucia starszej córki, rozumie że w życiu dziecka nadchodzi moment wątpliwości, szukania nowych dróg, wyrażanie swoich opinii głośno. Matka choć wymagająca, nie sądzę by była zła osobą, boi się, co sprawia, że przelewa swój strach na dzieci. Co nie zmienia faktu, że kierują nią dobre motywy, nie chce by dzieci żałowały, czy w przyszłości uznały, że rodzice za mało dla nich zrobili, za mało wsparcie dali. Tyle, że zawsze są dwie strony, zachowanie matki wynika z własnych traum, a ludzie są różni. Dziecko to nie kopia rodzica, które myśli i czuję identycznie jak ono, dlatego trzeba mu dać szansę podjąć własne decyzje. Owszem może się potknąć, może popełnić błąd, jak sądzę Emma przez moment na końcu tomu tak właśnie mogła czuć, ale to również część dorastania. Dzięki temu łatwiej jej będzie sobie poradzić w późniejszym życiu. Łatwiej przyjdzie jej podejmować kolejne decyzje.

[Yoshiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma i Wioletta #1 to początek komiksowego cyklu, w którym czytelnik może poznać losy dwóch nastoletnich sióstr, których największym marzeniem jest stać się wielkimi primabalerinami. Zanim jednak będą mogły one odnieść światowy sukces, muszą najpierw zdać egzaminy do elitarnej Szkoły Tańca Opery Paryskiej, co niestety wiąże się z naprawdę ciężką pracą i całą masą wyrzeczeń. Do tego wszystkiego dochodzi nie zawsze kolorowa „rzeczywistość”, która potrafi przygasić nawet największy entuzjazm.

Scenarzysta Jérôme Hamon stara się ukazać w pierwszym tomie całe spektrum różnorakich emocji towarzyszących nastoletnim bohaterom. Dziewczyny sukcesywnie dążą do zaplanowanego celu, realizując w ten sposób swoje marzenia. Niestety wiąże się z tym również cała masa stresu i innych niezbyt przyjemnych sytuacji. Pokazane problemy nie są nadmiernie przesadzone i dobrze powinny być zrozumiane przez młodego czytelnika (11-13 lat). Niestety wypływające z nich wnioski nie zawsze są jakoś nadmiernie „odkrywcze”. Twórca raczej stawia tu na sprawdzone schematy, które pojawiały się w dziesiątkach innych dzieł tego typu. Jest jednak pewna rzecz, która wyróżnia Emma i Wioletta #1 od konkurencji. Obok rozterek nastolatek, autor w dość interesujący sposób portretuje również ich rodzinę, która ma ogromny wpływ na kształtowanie się ich planów na przyszłość. Szczególnie dotyczy to matki, która mocno wspiera córki, ale też wywiera na nich pewną presję. W głowie odbiorcy (szczególnie starszego), może pojawić się pytanie, czy aby na pewno „marzenia” córek są ich własnymi?

https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/recen...

[aikaterine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy for me to read in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for great illustrations, a strong and determined heroine and a deep, meaningful story?
Look no further, because you've just found it!

The story begins with Emma and her sister's ballet dance choreographs. According to their mother's predictions, one will pass the important audition coming up and the other won't.

Emma is the one who doesn't pass.

A fact she is not taking lightly, considering the fact that she has always dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina...
But, her life is going to take an unexpected turn, and she, with the precious help of her loved one, will be called to take some important decisions about the rest of her life.
Will she continue on trying on the secondary ballet schools, or is she going to chase new dreams?

I loved this story, which unfolded quite fast, but without failing to show us the way Emma developed and evolved throughout it and never losing its meaning: We are the ones who determine our dreams.

Our heroine might seem a little distant and cold at first, but after I realized all the pressure she's under, I completely sympathized with her and started deeply liking her.

The illustrations took my breath away, especially when famous Parisian landmarks were depicted so artfully and close to the reality, that I actually found myself leaning in, trying to determine if it's a photo or a painting. Simply beautiful!

I can't wait for the rest of the novels following Emma's story to be published!

All in all, 5 stars for a fantastic, meaningful and beautifully illustrated graphic novel I recommend to everyone, and especially people who are still chasing or trying to figure out their dreams!

[CzasoStrefa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nie oszukujmy się – każdy z nas ma jakieś marzenia, choćby i najmniejsze. Czasami jednak, za sprawą podążania za karierą i pieniędzmi, zdarza się nam o nich zapominać. A co, jeśli to rodzice wybierają nam, o czym mamy marzyć? Czy to rozwiązałoby cały problem? Emma i Wioletta: Marzenia to pięknie zilustrowany komiks opowiadający o dwóch dziewczynach chcących dostać się do prestiżowej szkoły Opery Paryskiej. Od najmłodszych lat marzą o zostaniu primabalerinami. W tym celu muszą najpierw zdać niezwykle wymagający egzamin, dlatego nieustannie ćwiczą i się do niego przygotowują. Ale czy to jest właśnie to, czego naprawdę pragną? Ambicje, ambicje, ambicje Czytając Marzenia, miałam nieustannie wrażenie, że coś jest w tym wszystkim nie tak. Wyglądało to zbyt idealnie. I z czasem, w miarę postępu fabuły, przekonałam się, że miałam rację w swoich podejrzeniach. Presja i wymagania okazały się po prostu zbyt wygórowane. I to nawet nie przez to, że jej styl tańca był „niewystarczający”, ale nie było to coś, czemu ona byłaby w stanie oddać serce. Dlatego kompletnie nie zdziwiła mnie jej decyzja o kompletnej zmianie ścieżki życiowej. Trzeba robić to, co się kocha, bo jaka to przyjemność, kiedy w czymś się męczysz, ale nie daje Ci to radości żadnej. W duchu też pochwaliłam decyzję mamy dziewczynek – mimo jej cichego pragnienia sukcesu córek na scenie paryskiej opery potrafiła zrozumieć odmienne marzenia starszej z nich i je zaakceptować. Mało tego, była z niej dumna za to, że odważyła się tę decyzję podjąć i o niej powiedzieć, co wymagało niezwykłej odwagi.
Więcej na: CzasoStrefa